Rolla Sweis, Pharm.D., MA, BCPS
PGY1 Program Director and PGY2 Emergency Medicine Program Director

Rolla is the Clinical Manager of the Department of Pharmacy.  She also serves as the Emergency Department Clinical Coordinator, and the Residency Director.  She received her Pharm.D. Degree from the University of Illinois in 2002.  Rolla also holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from Lewis University.

Rolla has been instrumental in setting up pharmacy services in the Emergency Department at ACMC. She has been a recipient of two ASHP Best Practice Awards relating to her work and research done in the emergency department. In 2008, Rolla developed a Pharmacy Specialty Residency (PGY-2) in Emergency Medicine where she serves as the program director as well as the primary preceptor.   She also serves as the preceptor for the Emergency Medicine rotation for the PGY-1 residents.

Rolla holds an appointment as an Adjunct Assistant Professor for the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy offering a rotation in Emergency Medicine and also lectures in the elective course Clinical Toxicology.  She is a member of ACCP, ASHP and ICHP as well as the Illinois Council of Emergency Physicians (ICEP) and the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM).

James Jensen, Pharm.D.

Jim is the Clinical Coordinator for the Emergency Department at Advocate Christ Medical Center and Hope Children's Hospital.   He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2005.  After graduation, Jim accepted a position at Advocate Christ Medical Center as a decentralized clinical pharmacist in telemetry, medical, surgical, trauma, and intensive care units.  He also specialized in  pharmacokinetics, antibiotic stewardship, and diabetes education.

In May 2007, Jim accepted a position as a clinical pharmacist in the Emergency Department at Christ.  In 2008, he was a co-recipient of the ASHP Best Practice Award for his work relating to patient safety, improving patient outcomes, and cost savings. In October 2009, Jim accepted the clinical coordinator position for the Emergency Room and is currently the preceptor for pharmacy students, PGY-1 residents, PGY-2 residents, and medical residents.

Annie Kannankeril, Pharm.D.

Annie is a pharmacist working with general medicine patients at Advocate Christ Medical Center.  She received her Pharm.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2008 and went on to complete a pharmacy practice residency at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, IL.  After completion of her residency, Annie joined the staff at Christ Hospital in July 2009.  She works with a team of internal medicine residents and physicians to care for adult medicine patients.  She is the preceptor for the PGY-1 General Medicine rotation.

Annie is a member of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and Phi Lambda Sigma Leadership Society.

Joe Levato, Pharm.D.

Joe is the Clinical Coordinator of Infectious Diseases at Advocate Christ Medical Center & Hope Children’s Hospital. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1993. Joe has been the Clinical Coordinator of Infectious Disease at ACMC since 1994. His responsibilities include formulary management of antibiotics, compiling the yearly antibiogram, development and implementation of antimicrobial guidelines and protocols, monitoring the use of restricted antibiotics, overseeing the pharmacokinetic monitoring program, and ensuring optimal antimicrobial therapy is provided to patients at ACMC. Joe serves as the preceptor for the Infectious Disease rotation for the PGY-1 residents.

Since 1997, Joe has held an appointment as an Adjunct Assistant Professor for Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy as well as the University of Illinois School of Pharmacy. He has also precepted students from Drake University, Purdue University, and the University of Iowa. Joe has also been an Adjunct Faculty member at Midwestern University from 1997-2001. During this time, he provided lectures to pharmacy students on infectious disease related topics. Joe is a member of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA).

Lynda M. Olson, Pharm.D., BCPS

Lynda is the Clinical Coordinator for Surgical Intensive Care/Trauma Unit at Advocate Christ Medical Center & Hope Children’s Hospital. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Arizona, College of Pharmacy in 2002. She completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona’s University Medical Center in 2003. Upon completing her residency program, Lynda moved to the Chicagoland area and began working at Advocate Christ Medical Center. In her current position, she serves as Clinical Coordinator in the Surgical Intensive/Neuro Intensive Care Unit (SINI) which primarily serves neurosurgical and trauma patients. Lynda is the preceptor or the Surgical Intensive Care rotation for the PGY-1 residents.

Lynda holds an appointment as an Adjunct Assistant Professor for Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy and the University of Illinois School of Pharmacy offering a rotation in surgical critical care. In 2007, she received board certification in pharmacotherapy from the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties. She is a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists (ICHP), and the Chicago Metropolitan Trauma Society.

Lina Piech, Pharm.D., BCPS

Lina is the Clinical Coordinator of the Surgical Vascular Thoracic Unit at Advocate Christ Medical Center & Hope Children’s Hospital. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2004. Upon graduation she accepted a position at Advocate Christ Medical Center as a decentralized pharmacist in telemetry, surgical, trauma, medical, stroke, ante/post-partum, neonatal, and intensive care units. Lina has ambulatory care experience as a Clinical Anticoagulation Specialist at the Advocate Christ Anticoagulation Center. Her additional experience extends to the private sector as a Consultant Pharmacist.

In 2007, Lina was credentialed as a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS). In June 2008, Lina accepted the newly established position of Clinical Coordinator of the Surgical Vascular Thoracic Unit at ACMC.

Lina maintains an active membership in the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society, and the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM).

Vanessa Prorwicz, Pharm.D.

Vanessa is the Clinical Coordinator of Oncology at Advocate Christ Medical Center & Hope Children’s Hospital. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2005. Upon graduation she accepted a position at Loyola Medical Center as an Oncology Pharmacist in the Cardinal Bernadin Cancer Center. In May 2007, Vanessa accepted the newly established position of Clinical Coordinator of Oncology at Christ. Her focus is to implement standardization in the dosing and dispensing of chemotherapy agents. She is also instrumental in the development of pharmacy services for the Cancer Institute which is an aggregation of several cancer-related services. Vanessa is the preceptor for the Adult Oncology rotation for the PGY-1 residents.

Vanessa holds an appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor for Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy and the University of Illinois School of Pharmacy offering a rotation in Oncology. She is a member of the Hematology Oncology Pharmacist Association (HOPA), ACCP, and ICHP.

Poorvi Shah, Pharm.D., BCPS

Poorvi is the Clinical Coordinator of the Medical Intensive/Coronary Care Unit at Advocate Christ Medical Center & Hope Children’s Hospital. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2002. She completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2003 and then completed a Critical Care Specialty Residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital affiliated with Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in 2004. Upon completion of her critical care residency, she accepted a position as faculty at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and as the critical care clinical pharmacist at the St. Louis VA Medical Center. In 2005, Poorvi relocated to the Chicagoland area and joined St. Margaret Mercy Hospital in Hammond, Indiana as the critical care clinical pharmacist. She served as a preceptor for Midwestern University and University of Illinois pharmacy students and also for St. Margaret Mercy pharmacy practice residents. In July 2008, Poorvi accepted the clinical coordinator position for the medical intensive care unit at Christ. She is currently the preceptor for the Medical Intensive Care rotation for the PGY-1 residents.

Poorvi received her board certification in pharmacotherapy (BCPS) from the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties in 2004. She is also a member of Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and ACCP.

Chris Steffenson, Pharm.D.

Chris Steffensen is the Clinical Coordinator for Pediatrics and Neonatology at Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital. She attended University of Illinois Urbana in 1982 and earned her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Illinois, College of Pharmacy in 1988. Chris began her professional career at Children’s Memorial Hospital as a Pediatric ICU Clinical Pharmacist. In 1990, she began working at Advocate Christ Medical Center and is currently the Clinical Coordinator for Pediatrics and Neonatology at Hope Children’s Hospital located on the ACMC campus. She completed a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership in 2006 from Lewis University. Her clinical work and research interests lie in pediatric critical care, pain management, medication safety and pharmacy information systems. In addition to her work at ACMC, Chris is also a consultant for Joint Commission Resources for Pediatric Medication Safety. Chris serves as the preceptor for the PICU, NICU and General Pediatric rotations for the PGY-1 residents.

Chris holds an appointment as an Adjunct Assistant Professor for Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois School of Pharmacy, and Northern Illinois University School of Nursing. She is a member of ICHP, Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (PPAG), Children’s Oncology Group (COG), and Chicago Asthma Consortium.

Renata Taylor, Pharm.D.

Renata is the Clinical Coordinator of the Adult Surgical Heart and Transplant at Advocate Christ Medical Center & Hope Children’s Hospital. She graduated from Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2006 with her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree. Upon graduation she accepted a position at Advocate Christ Medical Center as one of the first PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residents. Following completion of her PGY-1 year, Renata continued working at ACMC as a staff pharmacist. In August 2007, Renata accepted the newly established position of Clinical Coordinator of the Adult Surgical Heart and Transplant at Christ. She serves as the co-preceptor of the transplant elective rotation offered to the PGY-1 residents.